Sherwood Island State Park

Facts about (Sherwood Island State Park):

Overview ofSherwood Island State Park- Facts,Trivia,and Historical Information : Sherwood Island State Park covers just over 235 acres in the Greens Farms section of Westport. It is bounded on the west by the Mill Pond and on the east by New Creek. Centuries ago, another creek (Gallups Gap Creek) ran roughly down the middle, with an island to its west (Fox Island) and marshland to its east. In the 1600s, a group of farmers settled on land east of the present park. They shared the surrounding salt marsh and farmed what was then called Fox Island. At the same time Thomas Sherwood, a miller from Nottingham England, arrived in nearby Fairfield with his family. In 1787, Sherwood descendents settled on Fox Island and acquired an existing gristmill on the Mill Pond. Through the 1800s, on what came to be called Sherwoods Island, the Sherwoods grew abundant crops. Onions and potatoes in particular were sent by ship to New York in great quantity. The gristmill serviced local farmers until grain farming in the area declined. In 1914, after surveying the coastline, the Connecticut State Park Commission determined that the Sherwoods Island area was the only location in Fairfield County suitable for a shore park. By then, the land had many owners. For help in making acquisitions, the Commission turned to William H. Burr Jr., a Westport produce farmer, former state legislator and an activist for historical preservation. Because the first property purchase was made in 1914, Sherwood Island is said to be Connecticuts oldest state park; but many years passed before it was accessible to the public. By 1923, with William Burr acting as intermediary, the State had acquired 48 acres of land on the marsh. However, neighboring landowner objections held up further funding to buy uplands for parking and park facilities. Through continuing advocacy by Burr and several regional associations, funding for the key parcels was approved, but not until 1937. These purchases were instrumental in creating momentum that lead to additional acquisitions and recreational improvements.

Services,Activities,Amenities,Attractions in (Sherwood Island State Park): Field sports, saltwater fishing, interpretive programs, saltwater swimming, picnicking, and shellfishing are all avaliable at Sherwood Island State Park. Surf and shore fishing is allowed anywhere on the shoreline outside of swimming areas.

Contact Information:
Address:Sherwood Island State Park, P.O. Box 188 , Green Farms, Connecticut, 06436
Phone No:(203) 226-6983

For more Information about (Sherwood Island State Park) Kindly visit the official website:
http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325260&depNav_GID=1650